Two large tornadoes hit the city of Selmer, Tennessee, on Thursday morning, according to reports.
Videos and pictures posted on social media showed significant damage and downed trees, making roads impassable. One account also reported that a gas station had been destroyed.
The Tennessee Highway Patrol said troopers were clearing roads and checking for stranded drivers.
Lightning strikes in Ashland City, Tennessee, on Wednesday. Lightning strikes in Ashland City, Tennessee, on Wednesday. George Walker IV/AP
The National Weather Service (NWS) also warned that a third tornado could strike the area soon.
“Another tornado is heading directly north of Selmer, TN, in 40 minutes,” the NWS office in Memphis posted on X, formerly Twitter, around 2.30 a.m. local time. “This is an incredibly dangerous situation.”
It later added: “Initial tornado warned storm has passed. However, yet another storm is heading towards Selmer, TN. Remain vigilant.”
The Context
The NWS has issued dozens of tornado warnings for parts of the South and Midwest, where violent storms wreaked havoc across multiple states on Wednesday.
Tornado and severe thunderstorm warnings were in effect for parts of Tennessee, Kentucky, West Virginia, Ohio and Pennsylvania on Thursday.
This is a breaking story. More to follow.
